Where is the main shut off usually located?
Frequently Asked Questions
The main water shut off is typically located on the inside wall at the front of your house in the basement in older houses or the mechanical room or furnace room in newer homes. It is always a good idea to find out where it is when you move in.
Why do I need to know where the main shut off is located?
If there is a plumbing emergency, if one of your fixtures breaks, or if one of your plumbing lines springs a leak, the main shut off will stop the flow of water coming into the house. It will stop any further water damage from occurring until the fixture or line is repaired or replaced.
Where do I find the main shut off?
The main shut off is located on the plumbing line that brings all of the water into your home. It is located right beside your water meter which measures the amount you use. The meter also has a leak indicator which helps to identify a leaking tap or toilet.
The amount of water that goes through the meter is billed to you by the city of Barrie. The city owns and maintains the water meter. The main shut off is owned by the property owner. Both need to be kept accessible in case of emergency.
Why do I have to shut off the water to the whole house?
Some fixtures such as a toilet or hot water tank have their own shut off. It is required by the Plumbing Code of Ontario, which is part of the Plumbing Code of Canada. If there is a problem these fixtures can be shut off individually without disrupting water to the rest of the house. It’s a good idea to have a shut off installed on other fixtures so that you don’t have to turn off the entire water supply to fix, repair or exchange an old one for a newer model.
What does the main shut off look like?
There are two main types – a ball valve shut off or a gate valve shut off. The ball valve shut off looks like a bar or lever which runs parallel to the water pipe to allow for the flow of incoming water. It can be turned across the pipe, at a 90-degree right angle, to shut the water off. This is known as a quarter turn. A gate and globe valve shut-off has a round handle that can be turned clockwise to shut off the water supply.
What do I do if there is a leak from the main shut off?
If the valve develops a problem and starts to leak, call water operations at the city of Barrie. This can sometimes be an issue with round-handled gate valves. If the leak is caused by a worn gasket, the city will replace it. This is considered to be an emergency and while there is city of Barrie staff available after hours during the week and on weekends there is an increased cost. To avoid that arrange for it to be fixed during regular operating hours. Place a container under the leak temporarily to monitor it until it can be fixed by the city. Many water repair services can be fixed at no charge. If there is a charge it will be billed at the city’s cost.
What do I do if the main shut off in the house doesn’t work?
If the main shut off is stuck or seized and can’t be turned off, call the city of Barrie’s water operations department. It will likely be fixed at no charge.
What do I do if the main shut off in the house breaks?
If the main shut off breaks, the city will fix it for no charge.
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What do I need to do to maintain my shut off?
Keep it accessible in case of emergency and also for turning it off. When turning the water back on, do it slowly to allow the pressure in the system to build up gradually.
Why do I need to turn off the water?
Other than an emergency it’s a good idea to turn off your water when leaving for a vacation. This will minimize any water damage in case a pipe bursts while you are away.
What do I do if the water is discolored when I turn it on?
The city can be your first point of contact on this issue too. If it doesn’t clear after running it for a few minutes, water operations have seen it all and can advise what to do. Some possible causes could be outside work on the municipal water system. It could be an issue with your water softener, if you have one.
How do I know when to call Plumbtech Plumbing?
The city’s water operations will advise when to contact a plumber, for example in the event of any galvanized plumbing lines or Poly B pipe.
It may come to light in a home inspection or plumbing inspection prior to a real estate sale. Replacement may be requested by an insurance company.
How do I know if I have galvanized piping?
The process of elimination will help. If it isn’t flexible piping or copper, and it’s a silver-grey metal in appearance it could be galvanized piping and threaded fittings, especially if it is old plumbing. Galvanized pipes and fittings are made from steel and dipped in zinc to prevent rust and corrosion. It can break down over time, clog the inside of the pipe, especially in hot water piping, and potentially place your drinking water at risk for lead toxins. If you are unsure, email a photo to the city’s water operations and they will identify it for you.
What do I do if my water meter leaks?
Barrie’s Water Operations is responsible for installing and maintaining the meters including water meter replacements, upgrades, reconditioning, and testing. As the city owns the water meter, contact water operations, at (705) 792-7920 or WaterOperations@barrie.ca if you think it is leaking or malfunctioning.
When do I call the city about a water problem?
As the municipality is responsible for water systems in the city, from drinking water to wastewater operations, they can be a good resource for questions. As the main shut off ties into the city services, they will often repair or replace parts on the shut off at no cost to the homeowner. If there is a charge, materials, and labour are billed at cost. Any charges will also include the cost of the city turning off the water at the curb box (sometimes called a curb stop) outside the house if necessary.
The curb box marks the point where municipal water service ends and water lines to the residence begin. The curb stop isolates the water for each home from the central distribution system. For any water work outside the home, Ontario One or other locating companies will need to be called to identify where the underground services are located. The property owner owns the waterline outside the house to the curb stop. The curb stop is owned by the municipality.
